Severe weather in winter
Weather in recent years seems to be getting more extreme. Severe weather in winter isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be life-threatening, particularly for elderly people.
Amber – be prepared for severe weather | |
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If you’re going out, never be afraid to wear many layers of clothing. And do remember that your head is where most of your body heat escapes from. A simple winter hat will do a lot to protect your internal body temperature.
In your home, make sure heating is working efficiently and consider buying portable Calor gas or oil-fired heaters for emergencies.
Red – during severe weather | |
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Elderly people are especially prone to hypothermia and pneumonia. Unfortunately, they are also the most likely to be living in older houses without adequate heating, so call in regularly on elderly friends, neighbours and relatives to see if they need help staying warm or getting provisions. | | |  | |
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Motorists:
Stop and offer roadside assistance if you see someone's car has broken down during severe weather; you could be saving someone's life.
In areas where heavy snow is likely to fall, always carry a blanket in your car. Also, carry a torch, a brightly-coloured headscarf, matches, some chocolate bars, a flask of hot soup, a mobile phone and a sign that says HELP in big bright letters. If you break down or get stuck in snow, don’t leave your car – it will get noticed before you will. Put the HELP sign in your window, tie the headscarf to your car's aerial, turn off the engine and curl up in the blanket. Don’t run your car's engine for more than a few minutes at a time and make sure its exhaust isn’t blocked with snow.
Green – after severe weather | |
| When the severe weather has passed, remember that it catches many people unaware every year in the UK, so always be prepared to keep safe and to help others. | | |  | |
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